Inventor Handout10

UWS School of Engineering Owner: Ian Masters
Engineering Design Date: 28/9/10

Inventor Handout Version: 1
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Inventor Handout
1. Introduction
Up to now you will have been using AutoCAD to draw 2D projections from a 3D object. With the advent of
more powerful computer packages this method has become outdated; it is now more common to simply draw
the 3D object straight onto the computer. There are a variety of sophisticated software packages available for
this purpose; in order not to overcomplicate matters at this stage we will be using the Inventor package from
AutoDesk Inc.
This handout is intended to introduce you to the basic features of the Inventor package, once again it is
obviously very brief – you are encouraged to experiment with the package. Like most modern drawing
packages Inventor comes with its own pre made tutorials. These are only partially useful but I do not
recommend you proceed further until you have completed these first yourself. The tutorials can be accessed by
clicking ‘Getting Started’ and then selecting ‘Learn how to work with AutoDesk Inventor™’ from the Inventor
start-up screen.
It is assumed you are competent with the concept of file saving. This tutorial will not tell you when to save as it
is assumed you will automatically do so after every major operation.
This is an active tutorial so you need to be logged into the system with Inventor running. Once Inventor has
loaded you will see a start-up window. We will be starting a new 3D part drawing so click ‘New’ then click on
the ‘Metric’ tab and finally double click ‘Standard (mm).ipt’.
2. Navigating your way: Important areas of the screen
You will be presented with the main Inventor screen; it has the following key areas:
Pull down menus Movable menus and buttons
Panel Bar
Origin
Browser Bar
Status Bar Drawing Area
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Inventor shares a lot of common features with AutoCAD. The screen is fully customisable and you may
recognise familiar buttons and menus. However, this is where the familiarities end. You should not attempt to
do things as you would in AutoCAD – it probably won’t work. There is no command line anymore, a lot of
previously irritating functions have been made simpler and a lot of previously simple functions are now a
complete nightmare (at first!) Take a few moments familiarising yourself with the main screen:
3. Basic drawing (Part 1)
At the end of this handout you will find a set of manufacturing drawings for a, by now, well-known Pedestal
Bearing. If you follow this handout logically you will have a step-by-step guide to building up a 3D model of
the pedestal base (part 1). The idea is to use this information to produce all the parts and create the final
assembly.
The first drawing aid to introduce is the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar. This enables you to draw using co-ordinates in
a similar fashion to that of AutoCAD.
• Select the ‘Sketch’ menu, then ‘Line’ tab and the pull down menu ‘Draw’. Finally click ‘Precise Input’
You can position the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar anywhere you wish but note that if you close it you will have to
reactivate it as detailed above.
The pink circle in the centre of the screen is the origin. The red and green arrows represent the X and Y axis
respectively. We will now begin drawing from this point.
• Select the Line button from the panel bar (or press ‘L’)
• Click the centre of the pink dot on the origin
• In the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 208 in the X and 0 in the Y boxes respectively followed by return (↵)
• Next right click on the drawing area and select ‘Done’ (or press escape)
You have drawn a 208mm long horizontal line but you will need to zoom out to see it clearly.
• Select the ‘View’ menu, then the Zoom All button from the top of the screen.
• Select the ‘Sketch’ menu again and then, once again select the Line button and click on the origin as before
• In the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 2 in the X box and 12 in the Y box followed by ↵
• Next enter 206 in the X and 12 Y and ↵
• Next enter 208 in the X and 0 and ↵
• Finally right click on the drawing area and select ‘Done’ to exit
You have now drawn the starting feature of the pedestal base.
4. Basic Extrude
We will now ‘Extrude’ the previous drawing to form the bottom section of the Pedestal Base.
• Select the ‘Model’ menu on the top of the screen
This will take you to a ‘3D world’ where your 2D image was previously drawn.
• Right click on the drawing area and select ‘Home View’

• Now click on the Extrude button (or press ‘E’)
If you have followed the instruction carefully your drawn profile should be automatically selected
• In the ‘Extents’ box make sure the ‘Distance’ is set to 48mm.

• Ensure the Join button is selected and click ‘Ok’
You should now be presented with a 3D image of the bottom of the base.
Problems with Extrude
If your object was not automatically selected it is probably because there is a very small gap in one of your
lines. If there is a problem with your image Inventor will tell you by producing a Red Cross button in the
extrude window. Click on this to diagnose your image – Inventor will tell you how to close the gaps or fix any
other problems you may have. After repairing the image you should be able to correctly extrude your image.
Remember areas that can be extruded will become shaded when you select them.
5. Moving around
Now is a good time to learn about moving around in Inventor. You can always get a better look at your object
here’s how:
• Select the ‘View’ menu on the top of the screen

• Click on the Orbit button
• Click and drag on the screen to rotate the drawing
• Click on any one of the white lines connected to the large circle
• Right click on the screen and select ‘Done’ to exit
A combined use if pan, zoom and rotate will often provide any viewpoint you need. Have a play with the rest
of the pan, zoom and rotate features in the 3D world.
Now we will make the cylindrical feature of the Pedestal Base.
• If you are not there already return to the home view; also make sure you have not accidentally selected any
faces, click anywhere on the blue zones of the drawing area to make sure.
• The home view shows three faces of your model. Select ‘Model’ menu and click on the sketch button; now
select the face with the largest surface area (this will produce a sketch plane on that surface, which you can
draw on).
• The top right of the drawing area has a cube to rotate the view of the part. Use this by clicking on the faces
and edges so that you are looking at the bottom of the part. Rotate the part using the curved arrows until the
word BOTTOM is the right way up.
• Click on the Zoom All button (in ‘View’ menu)
Now we will draw the circles needed to define the retainer holes
• Click on the Centre point circle button

• In the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 20 X and 24 Y and ↵
• Next enter 26.5 X and 24 Y and ↵
• Once more in the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 28 X and 24 Y and ↵
• Click the Line button
• Click anywhere on either of the two holes just drawn
• Next hold down the shift button and drag the line with the mouse
• Snap the line to the topmost tangent of the other circle (look for the tangent symbol)
• Repeat to form a line between the bottom most tangents as well

• Finally right click on the drawing area and select ‘Done’
Next we will trim the circles to form the correct profile for the retainer slot
• Click on the Trim button

• By clicking with the left mouse button trim all the lines bounded between the two outermost circle edges
and the two parallel lines
• Right click on the drawing area and select ‘Done’
Next we will draw the 13mm bolthole
• Click the Centre point circle button

Now for the square recesses
• Click the Line button

• In the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 0 X and 0Y and ↵
• Now in the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar there is a Delta Input button (the X/Y button) click on it
• Right click on the drawing area and select ‘Restart’
• Then in the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar enter 53.5 X and 11.5 Y and ↵
• Next enter 25 X and 0 Y and ↵
• Next enter 0 X and -25 Y and ↵
• Next enter -25 X and 0 Y and ↵
• Finally right click on the drawing area and select ‘Done’
You have just used the precise input toolbar with incremental co-ordinates. The previous drawing method used
absolute coordinates, which is fine for a given application but the incremental method is often much faster. But
there is an even faster method of drawing! Here’s how:
• Click on the Two point rectangle button

• Draw a rectangle anywhere within the black 3D model outline (it can be any size)
• In the panel bar there is a button called Dimension, click on it
• Place the cursor over the topmost line of your previously drawn rectangle, when the line turns red press the
left mouse button
• Push the mouse upwards, left click to place the dimension
• Now double left click on the placed dimension.
• In the pop up dialogue box enter 25 followed by ↵
• Still in Dimension click the right most line of the drawn rectangle
• Push the mouse to the right and left click to place the dimension
• Again double click on the new dimension, enter 25 in the box then ↵
• Still in Dimension click the top most line of the new square box
• Move the cursor over the topmost line of the pedestal base (the top purple line outlining your 3D model),
when it turns red click on it
• Drag the dimension to the right and left click to place it on the drawing area
• Change this dimension to 11.5
• Finally still in Dimension click the right most line of the square box
• Move the cursor over the right most line of the pedestal base (the right most line outlining your 3D model),
again when it turn red click on it
• Drag the dimension downwards, left click to place and change this final dimension to 53.5
This is a parametric modelling method. Although the intermediate steps are longer the overall process is much
faster than entering the coordinates manually. You will notice the new square is outlined black, rather than
green like its partner. This is because you have completely (and correctly) constrained the new square. Ideally
all the lines in a sketch should be black, not green. Parametric modelling is a complex but very powerful tool,
which you are encouraged to use. For clarity parametric modelling is omitted at this stage (although if you
prefer you can continue with it)
We still have to produce the final 13mm bolt hole and retainer slot.
• Click on the line button

• Move the cursor to the centre of the bottom most purple line of the 3D model
• If you are at the centre of the line (or very near it) a green dot should appear, left click. The start position of
your line will have snapped to the midpoint of the purple line
• Move the cursor upwards and snap the end point of your line to the mid pint of the topmost black line
• Right click and select ‘Done’
• Using the cursor select (click on it) the line you have just drawn (it should turn blue)
• On the top of the screen select ‘Centreline’ button (the icon next to the button ‘point’). This should have
changed the line to a centreline.
• Making sure NO LINES are selected click on the Mirror button. You should be able to see an extents
window
• Select the existing 13mm bolthole profile and retainer slot profile lines (they all should be blue)
• Next click on the ‘Mirror line’ button on the extents window and then click on the previously drawn
centreline
You should note that the mirror function only works with centrelines. Finally we need to produce the profile for
the cylindrical section of the pedestal base.

• Auto snap to the mid point of the previous centreline (there should only be one!)
• In the ‘Precise Input’ tool bar enter 50 X and 24 Y and ↵
• Trim all parts of the circle outside the purple outline of the 3D model
We have now finished drawing on this face. If is good practice to fully constrain your sketches (turn everything
from green to black) and now would be a good time to do so, although you do not have to it will save time later.
Return to the 3D world by depressing the Sketch button, but do not change the perspective.
7. Advanced Extrude
We are now going to select the circular feature on the bottom face to extrude into the cylindrical feature of the
Pedestal base.
• Select the ‘Model’ menu and click on the Extrude button

• As you have more than one profile option Inventor needs you to select those you wish to extrude
• We need to select the ENTIRE region bounded by the two 54mm diameter curves and the top and bottom
horizontal lines of the pedestal base. Use the cursor to select the desired region (you will have to make
multiple selections, if you make a mistake you will have to start over)
• Next select the middle extrude direction button in the extents window as well as the Join button
• Under the distance box type 68, and click ‘ok’
• Right click and select ‘Home View’
The cylindrical feature should have been formed. Whenever you extrude a feature in Inventor the extrusion
becomes directly linked to its parent sketch. If you now attempt to extrude the bolt holes using the same sketch
as before you will not be able to as it belongs to another feature of the drawing. To get around this problem you
have to ‘share’ the sketches.
• In the browser area (lower left of the screen) hover the curser over ‘Extrusion2’
• Still on ‘Extrusion2’ right click and select ‘Expand all children’
• Now right click on the sketch listed under ‘Extrusion2’ and select ‘Share sketch’
The previous sketch is now shared and you can reuse it to extrude the rest of the features on the base
• Click on the Extrude button

• Select the two 13mm bolthole profiles and two retainer hole profiles
• Next select the Cut button (not Join as before)
• Again make sure the middle extrude direction button is selected
• In the extents window select ‘All’ from the pull down menu and click ‘Ok’
• Again click on the Extrude button
• Select the two 2525 mm square profiles
• Again ensure Cut is selected as well as the middle extrude button in the extents window
• Under the distance box type 12 and click ‘Ok’
We will now produce the feature for the bearing insert extrusion.
• If you are not there already return to the home view
• Click on the sketch button; select the uppermost face on the drawing area.
• The top right of the drawing area has a cube to rotate the view of the part. Use this by clicking on the faces
and edges so that you are looking at the surface chosen. Rotate the surface using the curved arrows until the
word it is the right way up.
• Click on the Zoom All button (in ‘View’ menu)

• Next enter 128 X and 48 Y and ↵
• Click on the Line button
• Draw a line between the mid point of the bottom most purple line and the mid point of the top most purple
line
• Right click select ‘Done’
• Change this line to a centreline as described earlier
• Ensure the Delta Input button is selected in the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar
• Enter 0 X and -16 Y and ↵
• Enter 3 X and 0 Y and ↵
• Lastly draw a vertical line down snapping to the tangent of the 48mm diameter circle

• Trim everything to the right of the centreline and everything above the topmost black line
• Lastly trim back the remaining top part of the circle to the lines you have just drawn
• Click on the Mirror button
• Select what remains of the circle and ALL the lines previously drawn (but not centreline)
• Click on the centreline to mirror the image across
• Draw a horizontal line between the top end points of the two larger vertical lines, this closes the profile
ready for extrusion.
• Return to ‘Model’ menu (3D world) and select home view
• Extrude (using Cut) this new feature to a depth of 48mm into the 3D model
Finally we need to produce the 8mm deep hole for the bearing to sit in. There are a number of ways to do this,
here is just one of them:
• Rotate until you can see the top of the Pedestal Base
• Click ‘Sketch’ and select one of the top faces
• Click on the cube on the top right of the drawing to rotate the view of the part until it is the right way up
• Click on the Zoom All button

• There should be visible the centre mark from the main cylindrical feature, click on this to create the centre
point for the new circle
• On the ‘Precise Input’ toolbar there is a button which looks like tiny origin (red dot with two
perpendicular lines), click on it
• Next click on the centre point of the circle you are about to draw (the black dot) This places a new
‘relative’ origin at the centre point
• Select ‘Model’ menu again to return to the 3D world
• Click on the Hole button
• Next use the cursor to select the centre point of the hole you have just drawn
• Use the holes dialogue box create a 52mm deep, 8mm diameter hole, press ‘Ok’ to make the hole
9. Basic 3D editing
There are certain features we need to produce that the basic extrude techniques cannot easily produce. Such
features include hole, fillet, chamfer and plane etc. The final feature we need to produce is the fillet on the
main cylindrical extrusion.
• Select ‘Model’ menu and click on the Fillet button

• If necessary use Rotate the model button on the top right of the drawing area to view one of the edges
connecting the cylinder to the base.
• In the radius box type 6 and click on the connecting edge
• Rotate round to see the other connecting edge, click on this also
• Click ‘Ok’ to create the two 6mm fillets
You should now be left with the completed pedestal base! Using stop here and continue to create the remaining
parts for the entire Pedestal base. Once you have done so continue to Section 10–Producing Assembly
Drawings.
10. Producing Assembly Drawings
Inventor has special files specifically for product assemblies. Essentially it takes all the separate drawing files
and lumps them into one complete ‘package’. In this ‘package’ the parts are constrained to each other in the
locations they would be in on the actual product. For example our bearing would be constrained such that it is
inserted in the pedestal base, the bolts are constrained such that they go through the bolts holes etc…
Once the parts have been fully located the resulting product can then be imported into a manufacturing drawing
(as you would an individual part) to form a manufacturing assembly drawing. Remember assembly drawings
generally do not contain dimensions and must have a full parts list with associated balloons. In this last section
I will show you how to constrain your parts to make the Pedestal Bearing assembly – you will then be left to
produce the manufacturing drawings on your own.
We will now start to build a new 3D assembly; do not proceed past this point until you have a complete set of
parts for the entire assembly!
• Click ‘New’ then click on the ‘Metric’ tab and finally double click ‘Standard (mm).iam’ (the one with
multiple yellow blocks)
The first part you need is the main body of the pedestal; this will become the parent part, which the other items
are fixed onto or around.
• Select ‘Assemble’ menu and then click Place button to choose the Place Component tap (or press P)
• In the following window locate and open your completed pedestal base
• The first part in any assembly is automatically placed by Inventor. Right click and select ‘Done’
• Again click on the Place Component button
• Locate and open the Cap
• Find a clear space in the drawing area; we only need one Cap for the assembly so place one part with a
single left click.
• Using the same procedure continue to insert and place the Bearing Insert, the two bolts and four nuts
These parts can be moved freely around the page (except the parent Pedestal base as this has to be fixed) so in
order to create a meaningful assembly we need to constrain the parts to each other. The first thing we are going
to do is to insert the Bearing into the base
• Click on the Constraint button in ‘Assemble’ menu

• Ensure the Mate button is selected
• Now using the cursor select the centre line of the lug on the Bearing insert which is to be inserted into the
hole on the Pedestal Base (you may have to rotate the drawing to get at it)
• Next select the corresponding centreline of the hole on the Pedestal Base
• In the ‘Place Constraint’ dialogue box click ‘Apply’ (NOT ‘Ok’)
• Next click the Angle button
• Ensure the angle is set to 0.00deg click on the front face of the Pedestal Base and the front face of the
Bearing insert.
• Now click ‘Ok’
• In the drawing area left click and hold on the bearing insert.
• Move the insert up away from the base
• Once more click on the Constraint button
• Ensuring the Mate button is selected, select the centreline of the inner curved surface of the Pedestal Base
• Next select the centreline of the large hole through the Bearing insert
• To place this final constraint click ‘Ok’
You will no longer be able to move the Bearing insert around the page. This is because it is locked to the
Pedestal Base. The only way to move it is to delete some of the constraints you have just placed. Next we will
place the Cap on top of the Bearing Insert as required
• Click on the Constraint button

• Ensuring the Mate button is selected, select the centreline of the inner curved surface of the Cap
• Next select the centreline of the large hole through the Bearing insert
• Click ‘Apply’
• Next click on one of the outer ‘cylindrical’ walls of the Pedestal Base
• Click on the corresponding curved feature of the Cap
• This places the last constraint so click ‘Ok’
Now we need to insert the bolts into the Pedestal Base. This represents the last set of constraints and is left for
you to do on your own. Once you have a complete assembly you can save it and import to a manufacturing
drawing template to produce the final assembly drawing. Producing manufacturing drawings is the final area
we will cover.
11. Producing manufacturing drawings
Assuming you can create the correct 3D model producing complete manufacturing drawings is fairly
straightforward. If you are familiar with AutoCAD’s 3D functions you are about to see the true power Inventor
has over its predecessor. We are now at the business end of this package; remember we still have to conform to
BS PP7308!
Inventor has built in standards (ANSI, BSI, DIN, GT, ISO and JIS) whenever possible we will use the BSI
(British) standard as this represents the closest match to our needs. In addition Inventor has pre made drawing
templates (borders and title blocks) to accompany the relevant standard.
Unfortunately the default BSI standard, the BSI title block and BSI border do not exactly match the
requirements of BS PP7308. As a result I have construed a modified Inventor border and title block for your
use (called UWSFRAME.idw). To minimise inconsistencies you should always use this template when
constructing manufacturing drawings.
Before we start remember Inventor is a different drawing package to AutoCAD. In some respects it lacks the
flexibility of AutoCAD (particularly with centre and hidden line editing) – you should not try to make it look
like an AutoCAD document, you may be there forever!
It is highly recommended that you re-take the Inventor tutorial on ‘Preparing Final Drawings’ at this stage, as
what follows is more of an overview than a step-by-step procedure.
• Locate the UWSFRAME.idw file and open it
• Read the text on the opening page
• We will be using the A3 page so delete the text and the A3 sign on the opening page
• Click on the Create view button in the panel bar
• In the ‘Component’ dialogue box click on the Explore directories button
• Locate and open your previously drawn Pedestal Base (select ‘Ok’ to any dialogue boxes)
• In the ‘Create view’ dialogue box change the scale to 0.5
• Ensure the Hidden Line button is selected and you are using the front view.
• Place the view anywhere on the page.
If you have followed this tutorial correctly you should now be presented with a frontal half scale drawing of the
pedestal base. Note that Inventor knows which lines are hidden and displays them as such.
Next we need to create the top view…
• Click the Projected view button

• Select the pedestal image you just placed on the page with the cursor
• Move the cursor up the page to place the projection a suitable distance away for the main drawing
• Left click then immediately right click and select ‘Create’
Inventor creates the top projection of the pedestal base, again with the correct hidden lines. What you have just
done in 5 minutes would have taken about half an hour for the average user on AutoCAD! You can now move
the drawings around the page as you see fit. You can also add isometric views; section or detailed views and
even insert fully rendered parts (colour printer only!). The procedure to add these special views is very similar
to that described above and has been omitted for space (though is described in the Inventor tutorials if you are
truly stuck).
Next we need to add the centre lines then the final dimensions as well as any surface feature marks. Centre
lines are a bit of a nightmare as Inventor has default standard centre line formats that are difficult to modify.
The best advise is to make something that looks correct and leave it at that - if you don’t you may be there
forever trying to make every line the correct scale and length.
• Left click on the downward arrow on the panel bar

• Select ‘Drawing Annotation’
The panel bar now shows a variety of tools, which you can use to detail the drawings. At this stage it’s easier if
you just experiment for yourself to find out what they do and how they work, aside from slightly irritating
centre lines its all-straight forward if you take a logical approach and spend some time with it.
• Create centrelines for your pedestal base (see manufacturing drawings enclosed for the correct locations)
• Fully dimension your views (again see manufacturing drawings for the correct locations)
Now you need to make the 3D models of the remaining parts and import them into the manufacturing drawing.
You need to fully dimension these new parts as well as add centrelines and any surface details. When you have
finished you should edit the title block and print out the set of manufacturing part drawings, which together
make up the entire Pedestal Bearing.
A word on constraints
After experimenting with dimensions you may have come across a ‘Get Model Dimensions’ option. If you
have tried using this feature it appears that Inventor somehow uses the drawing and ‘automatically’
dimensions some features of it. What Inventor is actually doing is looking in the part file for dimensions (or
more precisely constraints); any that it finds become added to the drawing. If you had dimensioned your 3D
part as you went along these dimensions would now appear if you select ‘Get Model Dimensions’. From my
experiences this feature has only limited use, often the dimensions are not to standard and are frequently
repeated or in completely the wrong position. That said it is still good practise to dimension (or more precisely
constrain) the 3D part as you go along, you can then use these automatic dimensions later, say to check that
the final drawing has been fully dimensioned and you have not left out any features. For now be content
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dimension as outlined above, when you are more fluent with Inventor you may like to look into the true use of
adding these constraints.
This completes the handout.

Inventor Handout10

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UWS School of Engineering Owner: Ian Masters

Engineering Design Date: 28/9/10

2. Navigating your way: Important areas of the screen

Pull down menus Movable menus and buttons

Status Bar Drawing Area

3. Basic drawing (Part 1)

• Select the ‘Model’ menu on the top of the screen

• Right click on the drawing area and select ‘Home View’

• In the ‘Extents’ box make sure the ‘Distance’ is set to 48mm.

Problems with Extrude

• Select the ‘View’ menu on the top of the screen

6. Basic drawing (Part 2)

Now we will make the cylindrical feature of the Pedestal Base.

• Click on the Centre point circle button

• Repeat to form a line between the bottom most tangents as well

• Click on the Trim button

Next we will draw the 13mm bolthole

• Click the Centre point circle button

Now for the square recesses

• Click the Line button

• Click on the Two point rectangle button

• Click on the line button

• Click on the Centre point circle button

• Select the ‘Model’ menu and click on the Extrude button

• Click on the Extrude button

8. Basic drawing (Part 3)

• Click on the Centre point circle button

• Click on the Trim button

• Click on the Centre point circle button

• Select ‘Model’ menu and click on the Fillet button

10. Producing Assembly Drawings

• Click on the Constraint button in ‘Assemble’ menu

• Click on the Constraint button

11. Producing manufacturing drawings

Next we need to create the top view…

• Click the Projected view button

• Left click on the downward arrow on the panel bar

This completes the handout.

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